Kiwi Classic

Kiwi Classic

New Moves in Ballroom and Social Dance

By Tania Kopytko

Set in the beautiful Langham ballroom, resplendent with chandeliers, plaster ceiling and large gilt edged mirrors, the new NZ ballroom event, the Radiessence Kiwi Classic Dance Competition, made its debut in April 2011. The organisers Candy Lane, Wendy Johnson, a NZ ballroom dancer with a high profile in USA (DANZ Q issue 10), and Kingsley Gainsford wanted to achieve something new and different for NZ ballroom. Their objective was to present an event that showcased the dance form's sense of occasion and style.

The Kiwi Classic venue was full of Kiwi men who like to dress nattily in suits and love to dance, and women wearing floating ball gowns or glittering Latin numbers, plus the public dressing up for an evening gala event. Dance is often female dominated, but the ballroom sector has a strong male presence.

The independent development is consistent with international trends. Globally, dance people are communicating their frustration because the sector is controlled by internationally affiliated ballroom organisations which appear to be limiting the more openapproaches to competition desired by the participants.